Motor vehicle chassis



Oct. 18, 1938. K. RABE ET AL 2,133,633

MOTOR VEHICLE CHASS IS Filed June 5, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N @fMMV/wOct. 18, 1938. K, RABE E1- AL MOTOR VEHICLE CHASSIS Filed June 5, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 18, 1938. K. RABE El' AL 2,133,633

MOTOR VEHICLE CHASSIS -Filed June 5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig 1 1s 341116 11'12 l .11i/5455 w50/VAN.

am Fig. 5 l, ff-fw y Patented oci. 1s, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcMOTOR VEHICLE CHASSIS Karl Rabe and WalterlBoxan, Stuttgart, Gerl many;said Boxan assignor to Dr. Ing. l. c. F.

Porsche G. m. b. H., Stuttgart, Germany Application June 5, 1935, SerialNo. 25,139 In Germany March 5, 1934 16 Claims.

on by torsion springs, and a lattice-like vehicleframe consisting ofhollow supporting members with projecting ends.

It has already been proposed to dispose the bearings for the swinginglevers on the tubular,`

longitudinally extending members of a latticelike frame, the projectingends of these longitudinal members remaining substantially unstressed.This mode of construction has the disadvantage that the supporting pinaxes cross the frame member axes at a considerable distance, causingappreciable additional stresses among the bearingforces to act on theframe. This manner of supporting vthe swinging levers furthermorenecessitates a great amount of additional space for housing the springsand shock absorbers. It has 20 also been proposed to support the.swinging levers in casings which are connected through the intermediaryof the U-shaped longitudinal frame members with the ends of a tubulartransverse frame member. The bearing casings which replace theprojecting ends of the transverse'frame member are in this case heavystructural parts which are inconvenient to iix, so that, in spite of thesprings and shock absorbers being more eas-- ily housed, no reliablyoperating and economical construction results.

In contradistinction thereto the invention consists in this, that at thefreely projecting ends of the longitudinal and transverse 'frame membersthe bearings for the swinging levers, spring levers and shock absorberlevers are disposed. This arrangement enables the supporting pin axes tobe brought extremely close to the frame member axes, so that noappreciable additional stresses can be produced at these places. Throughall levers being supported at the extreme ends of the frame members, italso becomes possible to make the supporting surface of the chassisextremely large and at the same time to keep the power transmission pathextremely small. In this mode of construction the housing of thespringsl and shock absorbers may be greatly facilitated and theiraccessibility improved.- As the supports for all the levers are broughtvery close to the vehicle wheels, it also becomes possible to avoidunfavourable crankings of the same and greatly to shorten their freelyprojec'ting parts. Through this mode of construction the operative andconstructional features of the chassis of this kind are greatlyimproved.

The arrangement according to the invention is v in Fig. 2; and

(Cl. 28o-106.5)

illustrated by three constructional examples in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plane View of one form of arrangement according to thisinvention;

Fig. 2 is a plane View of a second form of ar- I rangement according tothis invention;

Fig. 3 'is a plane view of a third modied Vform of this invention;

Fig. 4"is a cross-sectional view in reduced scale along the lines IV-IVof Fig. 3;

10 Fig. 5a is a cross-sectional view along th'e lines Fig. 5b is across-sectional view similarto Fig. 5a showing a slightly differentarrangement;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the modification shown Fig. 8 is a. side viewof the modification illus- 4trated in Fig. 3.'

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 6 thelattice-like frame consists oftwo parallel longitudinal tubes, I, I and three parallel transversetubes 2 to 4, the longitudinal tubes I, I' projecting freely beyond therear transverse tube 4 and the transverse tubes 2 to 4 projecting freelybeyond the longitudinal tubes I, I. The projecting ends of thetransverse tube 2 at the forward end support the bearing casings 5, 5'for the levers 6, 6' which swing parallel to one another in asubstantially vertical longitudinal plane; the reference character Rindicates the direction of travel of the vehicle. These levers aredisposed in pairs one above the other and are connected `each by a jointwith the steering swivel carriers of the steering wheels 1, 1', so thatthe latter are supported by aparallel motion arrangement. The supportingpirs 'of the lower swinging levers are respectively connected directlywith the spring bars 8, '8' and the supporting pins of the upperswinging levers with the shock absorbers 9 Q'. The spring bars 8, 8'which extend across the full width of the frame are enclosed parallelnext to one another in the transverse tube 2 and the shock absorbers 9,9' in the bearing casings 5, 5'. The projecting ends of the reartransverse member 4 support the bearing casings I0, I0 for the torsionpins of the spring bars II, Il' which extend over the full width of theframe. The torsion pins are connected by suitable universal joints M, M'with the swinging struts I2, I2 of the half-axles I3, I3'. Thehalf-axles I3, I3' are Supported by ball and socket joints O, O' in theA'axle casing. I4 and support the driving wheels I5, I5. As the leversI2 and I2' are rmly attached to respective half-axles Il, Il', thewheels I5, I5' will ,swing at an angle tof one another about thegeometrical axes MO and MO respectively. The axle casing I4 forms oneblock with the forwardly extending change speed gear casing I and therearwardly extending engine casing I1. The engine gearing block issupported on the projecting ends of the longitudinal tubes I, I. 'I'hevehicle body (not shown) is supported at the projecting ends of thetransverse tubes 2 to 4 by means of slipped-on -rubber rings I8, I8' andsecured by shackles. The projecting ends of the middle transverse tube Iare tightly closed by plugs 22, 22'.

In this constructional form the bearings 5. and I0. III of the swingingand spring levers 6, 6' and I2, I2' are in each case disposed at theends of the same frame members. Since the supports I8, I8 of the vehiclebody are also disposed on the ends of these members, an arrangement `efthe lines of force results, under a stationary load, which issubstantially limited to the frame member ends. But even with a movingload the force equalization will take place, in each case along theshortest path between the frame member ends. The ends of the transversemembers 2, 4 are brought very near to the wheels 1, I' and I5, I5', sothat the levers 6, 5 and I2, I2 become relatively short andthesupporting surface lying between its bearings 5, 5 and I0, I0 can bemade relatively large. The frame member ends are correspondinglyreinforced by the bearing casings 5, 5 and I0, III' and the spring bars8, 8 and II, I I', which are enclosed in the frame members, and are atthe same time protected by these bearing casings from all externaliniluences.

In the constructional example shown in Figs. 2 and '7 the lattice-likeframe is constructed in a similar manner, with the exception that thelongitudinal tubes I, I' are extended beyond the forward transverse tube2 as well. The forward ends of the longitudinal tubes I, I support thebearing'casings 5, 5 for the levers 6, 6 which swing parallel to oneanother at right angles to the direction of travel R and frm a parallelmotion arrangement for supporting the steering wheels 1, 1'. Thesupporting pivots of the lower swinging levers are respectivelyconnected directly to the spring bars 8, 8 which are enclosed in thelongitudinal tubes I, I. At the projecting ends of the forwardtransverse frame member 2 the Vabsorbers 8, 9 are mounted, which throughthe shock absorber levers I9, I9 act on the steering swivels of thewheels 1, 1.'. At the rear ends of thelongitudinal tubes I, I the hubsof the swinging struts I2, I2' are mounted in the tubes with'interposedrubber Joints or bearings N, N',

these hubs being connected directly to the spring` bars II, II which areenclosed in the longitudinal tubes I, I. The swinging struts I2, I2support with respect to the frame the half-axles I3, I3' which aresupported by ball and socket joints O, O in the axle casing I4, so thatthe driving wheels I5, I5' swing at an angle toone another about' thegeometrical axes ON and ON' respectively. To the projecting ends of therear transverse tube 4 shock absorbers 20, 20' are connected, which actthrough the shock absorber levers 2I, 2|' on the half-axles I3, I3'.'I'he engine gearing block and the vehicle body are connected with thechassis in the same way as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

In this constructional form the bearings 5, and N, N( of the swingingand spring levers l, 8

ling struts I2, I2' which additionally support tge 2,1ss,ess

and I2, I2 respectively and of the shock absorber levers I9, I9 and 2I,2|' are in each case disposed at the various frame member ends. By thismeans the springing and damping forces can be distributed in each caseseparately to oppositely disposed frame member ends. Furthermore, thesupporting surface between the bearings 5, 5 and N, N and the shock`absorbers 9, 5' and 20, 2li' can be increased to the maximum amount.Finally the swinging levers 6, 5' and I2,v I2 may be made relativelylong and the shock absorber levers I8, I8 and 2 I, 2 I relatively short,which enables spring and shock absorbers of any size to be used and afavourable balance of the two with respect to one another to beeffected.

In the constructional example shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5a, 5b and 8 thelattice-like frame consists of one central member I, which divides atthe rear into two upwardly bent prongs 24, 24', and of three transversemembers 2 to 4 projecting like teeth on either side. 'I'he frame isbuilt up from two channel-shaped parts a, b with a substantiallyhorizontally extending joint, which are provided with similar pressedout flanges extending all round. The bearings 5, 5 for the swinginglevers 8, 6', which are disposed one above the other and support thesteering wheels I, 1', are inserted at the ends of the transverse framemember 2 and the bearings I0, I0' for the swingdriving wheels I5, I 5journalled on the swin ing half-axles I3, I3' are inserted at the endsof the transverse frame member 4, in each case between the frame partsa, b. The pivots of the swinging levers 5, 6' and of the swinging strutsI2, I2 are connected directly with the transversely extending springbars ii, 8 and II, which are secured in the middle against turning inthe frame. At the prongs 24, 24' the supporting tubes 23, 26 for theengine gearing block which is suspended in three points 25, 25' and 2'Iareinserted between the frame parts a b. Between the longitudinalcentral member I and the transverse members 2 to 4 oor plates 28, y28are inserted, which consist either of wood, in which 1 case they rest onthe peripheral pressed flanges .vided with depressions or corugati'ons.l

In this constructional form the interior of the frame may be madeaccessible for the introduction of the torsion springs, shock absorbersand bearings and, as the dividing joint lies in the neutral axis of theprofile of the frame'there is no appreciable weakening o\f the latter.'I'he two channelled frame parts can be produced by pressing andconnected together right along their pressed flanges. At thesame timethe bearings for the swinging and spring'levers and for the enginegearing block can be inserted between these two frame parts. beingfixed, for-instance being clamped between them, so that it is possibleto fix them both simply and securely at very low cost. It is alsopossiblev to insert between the longitudinal and transverse members ofthese frame parts iloor plates which either rest on the pressed ilangesof the frame parts or are connected with them th oughout. In this way acontinuous plate form obtained, which is of great bending and twistingstrength and For making them more rigid the wood f I'he invention is notlimited to these construc- V tional examples. In place of the frametubes other closed hollow supporting members may be` used and in placeof the spring bars other torsion springs, for springs may be used. Anykind of shock absorber may be used. How the various bearings for theswinging, spring and shock absorber levers are constructed is immaterialas regards the invention. Individual transverse members, for instancethe forward transverse member 2, may be made separately and be insertedsubsequently into the lattice-like frame, so that the axle or drivinggroups may be removed as complete units.

What we claim is: l. In a vehicle chassis, in combination, a framecomprising hollow longitudinal and transverse members having freeprojecting ends, bearings positioned within said members at theextremities of said projecting ends, wheel supporting levers mounted forrotation in said bearings for independently supporting the vehiclewheels,

rotary spring means positioned within said hollow frame members attachedthereto at one end and to said levers at their other ends forresiliently connecting said wheel supporting levers 3g to said frame,and shock absorbers havingone portion attached to said frame and anotherportion to certain of said levers. v

2. A chassis for motor vehicles comprising swinging members forsupporting the wheels, torsion 'springs acting upon the swingingmembers, shock absorbers, shock absorber levers, a frame consisting ofhollow longitudinal and transverse supporting members with projectingends, and bearings at the .ends oi. the longitudi-f o nal and transversesupporting members for the swinging members and shock absorber levers.

3. A chassis for motor vehicles comprising swinging members forsupporting the wheels, torsion springs acting upon the swinging mem- 45bers, shock absorbers, shock absorber levers, a frame consisting ofhollow longitudinal and transverse supporting members with projectingends, bearings at the ends of the transverse members for the shockabsorber levers, and bearings 50 rat the ends of the longitudinalmembersrfor the swinging members.

4. In a vehicle, in combination, aframe comprising hollow longitudinaland transverse members, said frame being formed of two channelled partsconnected by substantially horizontally extending anged joint,said,anged joint being adapted to form at least a part of the vehicle,floor structure, wheels for said vehicle, andA means carried withinsaid hollow members for 60 supporting said wheels. L

5. 'I'he combination according to claim 4 in which said last meansincludes spring means carried within said hollow members.

6. The combination' according to claim 4 in 65 whichJ said frameincludes a pair of longitudinally extending freely projecting ends whichare f adapted to receive engine and transmission block bearings betweenthe two channel cparts at said projecting ends.

7. A chassis for motor vehicles @omprising swinging members forsupporting 4the wheels, rotary spring means acting upon the swinginginstance cylindrical helicaly members, a frame comprising hollowlongitudi- A nal and transverse members, formed of two channelled partsconnected by a joint extending substantially horizontally, and bearingsat the ends of the transverse supporting members for the swingingmembers.

8. A chassis for motor vehicles comprising swinging members forsupporting and guiding the wheels, rotary spring means acting upon cer,-tain of the swinging members, a frame comprising hollow longitudinal andtransverse 'sup' porting members with free projecting ends, and bearingsat the ends of the longitudinal/rand transverse supporting members forthe swinging members.

9. In a vehicle, in combination, a frame consisting of a plurality ofhollow longitudinal and transverse supporting members, Wheels for saidvehicle, a. pair of swinging members for connecting one of said wheelsto said frame independently of the other wheels, at least one of saidswinging members being journaled wholly within one of said hollow framemembers, and spring means within'said last hollow frame member attachedat one end to said journal swinging member and at its other end to saidframe.

10. The combination according to claim 9 in which said spring means isa. torsion bar.

11. The combination according to claim 9 in combination with shockabsorbing means attached to said frame, and means for operativelyconnecting the other swinging member to said shock absorbing means.

l2. A chassis for motor vehicles comprising swinging members forsupporting the wheels, springs acting upon the swinging members, shockabsorbers, shock absorber levers, a frame consisting of hollowlongitudinal and transverse supporting members having flanges, bearingsat the ends of thesupporting members for the swinging members and shockabsorber levers, and floor plates secured upon said flanges.

13. A vehicle frame comprising a pair of sheet metal plates each pressedto form a longitudinal central channel section and a plurality oftransverse channel sections, and means for attaching f said platestogether at their open channel sides,

thereby forming hollow frame members adapted to receive wheel supportingmeans for the vehicle.

` 14. A unitary vehicle frame comprising a pair of Sheetmetal plateseach pressed to form a. anged longitudinal channel and a plurality oftransverse anged channels extending on opposite sides of saidlongitudinal channel, said channel being positioned one above the otherand attached together at their open flanged channel sides 15. 'I'hecombination according to claim 14 in which the flanges on the lowerpressed plate form the floor oi the vehicle.

- 16. The combination according to claim 14 in which one end of each ofsaid plates is pressed to forma pair of'obliquelyr upwardly freelyextending anged longitudinal channels, and means for attaching the endsof said channels together, said means together with one of saidtransverse channels adapted to form a support for an enginetransmission.

WALTER BOXAN.

